Setting - Saturday at lunch
Whitney: Who was eating cereal at 5:09 this morning?
Me: How did you know I was eating cereal?
Whitney: I heard you.
Me: From in your room?
Whitney: Yes. I hear everything. You opening the fridge, pouring the cereal and the crunching. I HEAR EVERYTHING!
Friday, April 5, 2013
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Favorites
I've talked about the show The Bible from the History channel I loved it.
Something struck me when they got to Jesus life. First off, it's no secret that David was an man after God's heart. John was the disciple Jesus loved. Jesus cried when he found out Lazarus was dead. He had special people, even though he was Jesus and loved everyone.
As a mom, one thing I love is when people are good to my kids.
So when the wise men from the east knelt in front of Jesus I wondered if that especially touched the heart of God.
And when that man knelt down next to Jesus and picked up that cross with him I wondered if all of Heaven fell in love with him like I did in the portrayal of the crucifixion.
Something struck me when they got to Jesus life. First off, it's no secret that David was an man after God's heart. John was the disciple Jesus loved. Jesus cried when he found out Lazarus was dead. He had special people, even though he was Jesus and loved everyone.
As a mom, one thing I love is when people are good to my kids.
So when the wise men from the east knelt in front of Jesus I wondered if that especially touched the heart of God.
And when that man knelt down next to Jesus and picked up that cross with him I wondered if all of Heaven fell in love with him like I did in the portrayal of the crucifixion.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
a letter to a teacher
Dear teacher,
I realize you have probably made sacrifices to be a teacher. It can be a pretty thankless job. And from what I understand the pay isn't great. I'm sure there are benefits. And you get to feel good about what you do some days. Even though that whole "what do you make? I make a difference" thing is a little hard to stomach sometimes, but you haven't ever said that, so I shouldn't vent about that to you. You may feel that way too, but you haven't ever beat me over the head with the fact that I make money and you make a difference so I'll let this one go...for now.
Because I'm sure it can be thankless and hard I'm going to post this letter to you, unnamed on my blog instead of emailing it direct to you. That and because sending it to you would embarrass my daughter.
You were one of her favorite teachers in a class she loved. Up until recently. And you changed that. You made the comment to her that you hoped your children did not grow up to be like her. When she told me this it almost broke my heart. Because I know her. I know how much that hurt her. I know that she liked you. And respected you. And that you are a christian man. And that nothing you said after that would undo it.
I know you probably didn't mean to hurt her feelings. I know you mean well. You teach well. And one unthoughtful comment that you may or may not have meant has changed her opinion of you (and mine).
I know her and love her and I'm always on her side. I know her better than you ever will, obviously. So let me tell you some things about her you don't know.
She is a good kid. Do you know how rare that is this day and age? Good. Kind. Thoughtful. Loyal. Trustworthy. Compassionate. Hardworking. Intelligent. Beautiful. Mature and wise beyond her years.
She loves Jesus. Not in the I go to youth group and Falcon Fellowship and See You At the Pole and carry my Bible in the hallway at school and let me tell you about my last 5 missions trips (not that there is anything wrong with that) kind of way. She loves Jesus in the do unto others as you want them to do to you take care of widows and orphans love others as you love yourself kind of way.
So teacher, let me end by saying this.
YOU WOULD BE LUCKY TO HAVE YOUR CHILDREN GROW UP AND TURN OUT LIKE WHITNEY!
I realize you have probably made sacrifices to be a teacher. It can be a pretty thankless job. And from what I understand the pay isn't great. I'm sure there are benefits. And you get to feel good about what you do some days. Even though that whole "what do you make? I make a difference" thing is a little hard to stomach sometimes, but you haven't ever said that, so I shouldn't vent about that to you. You may feel that way too, but you haven't ever beat me over the head with the fact that I make money and you make a difference so I'll let this one go...for now.
Because I'm sure it can be thankless and hard I'm going to post this letter to you, unnamed on my blog instead of emailing it direct to you. That and because sending it to you would embarrass my daughter.
You were one of her favorite teachers in a class she loved. Up until recently. And you changed that. You made the comment to her that you hoped your children did not grow up to be like her. When she told me this it almost broke my heart. Because I know her. I know how much that hurt her. I know that she liked you. And respected you. And that you are a christian man. And that nothing you said after that would undo it.
I know you probably didn't mean to hurt her feelings. I know you mean well. You teach well. And one unthoughtful comment that you may or may not have meant has changed her opinion of you (and mine).
I know her and love her and I'm always on her side. I know her better than you ever will, obviously. So let me tell you some things about her you don't know.
She is a good kid. Do you know how rare that is this day and age? Good. Kind. Thoughtful. Loyal. Trustworthy. Compassionate. Hardworking. Intelligent. Beautiful. Mature and wise beyond her years.
She loves Jesus. Not in the I go to youth group and Falcon Fellowship and See You At the Pole and carry my Bible in the hallway at school and let me tell you about my last 5 missions trips (not that there is anything wrong with that) kind of way. She loves Jesus in the do unto others as you want them to do to you take care of widows and orphans love others as you love yourself kind of way.
So teacher, let me end by saying this.
YOU WOULD BE LUCKY TO HAVE YOUR CHILDREN GROW UP AND TURN OUT LIKE WHITNEY!
Monday, April 1, 2013
Workin' out
I had my first real outdoor training session this week with Marquis. It was a beautiful day. This meant sprints on the football field and bleachers. So hard and so worth it. And painful the next day. The good thing is I think my foot may finally be ready for me to run. Finally. I can work out like crazy. Weights, core, even Insanity (and let me tell you, the longer I do this crazier I think it is and I am).
I did hear a motivational saying that has kind of stuck with me. Mostly I believe you do it because you want to and find it in yourself to do it. I believe physical strength and emotional strength and mental strength are all tied together.
But this one "the only number that matters is 100%. Give 100%. Anytime I'm working out I'm working out as hard as I can. When I run, I'm running to do two things. Finish and finish well. This requires 100%. 100% may be a different distance and a different time, but it's worth giving your all to something.
And not just sports. Family. Marriage. Child rearing. I've not done everything right relationally, but I do believe that I give 100% to my marriage and my children. Just like running, 100% is different on different days.
Today I told Steve to meet us at Bradley Fair when I meant New Market Square. For those not familiar with Wichita, opposite sides of town. 30 minutes drive apart. Not too 15 minutes from home, Steve was downtown, evenly split. Bad directions. Then Whitney asked me to take her to the Heights baseball game at McAdams. I took her to Westside Athletic Field. Not too terribly apart, but I was spending time with my family, running errands, taking care of stuff, giving everything I had to them, to the moment, and I was not on my game.
But I want my family to know that I did work hard for them. With them. Give all I had.
100%
I did hear a motivational saying that has kind of stuck with me. Mostly I believe you do it because you want to and find it in yourself to do it. I believe physical strength and emotional strength and mental strength are all tied together.
But this one "the only number that matters is 100%. Give 100%. Anytime I'm working out I'm working out as hard as I can. When I run, I'm running to do two things. Finish and finish well. This requires 100%. 100% may be a different distance and a different time, but it's worth giving your all to something.
And not just sports. Family. Marriage. Child rearing. I've not done everything right relationally, but I do believe that I give 100% to my marriage and my children. Just like running, 100% is different on different days.
Today I told Steve to meet us at Bradley Fair when I meant New Market Square. For those not familiar with Wichita, opposite sides of town. 30 minutes drive apart. Not too 15 minutes from home, Steve was downtown, evenly split. Bad directions. Then Whitney asked me to take her to the Heights baseball game at McAdams. I took her to Westside Athletic Field. Not too terribly apart, but I was spending time with my family, running errands, taking care of stuff, giving everything I had to them, to the moment, and I was not on my game.
But I want my family to know that I did work hard for them. With them. Give all I had.
100%
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)